LIONS DISTRICT V1-4 MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER Volume 1 Issue 3

CLUB MEMBERSHIP - PROGRESS

At the end of January our net member growth is 28, this is a

terrific result despite the frustration of not yet chartering a

new club. We have a new club branch of Doutta Galla, a

special interest Quilters club that should Charter shortly.

This newsletter focuses on our Projects and Activities and

how they together with good public relations and promotion

underpin our membership growth and retention.

Our new Lions promotion tells us how one more member

gives us Two More Hands to serve the community.

Two More Hands is a great recruiting tool, double click the

link and show the 6 minute video it to potential members.

About Lions Video

This issue includes practical ideas to revitalize your club,

50/50 Pathways Seminar, March Promotion & Awareness, &

Club Excellence case study, consider them for your club.

There are strategies to sustain our clubs in the future as we

continue to serve in many and varied ways. Read about the

future volunteer who is likely to be ‘Mission Driven’, how

‘Social Media’ will be a major form of communication both

within our membership and throughout our communities,

and we need to ‘Get in Step’ and promote ourselves.

Finally the months of March and April are especially

important in your club as you seek nominations for a new

team of office bearers so that elections can be completed and

officers prepared for another year of service.

To learn more about International President Barry Palmer:

Download biography Watch biography video IP Palmers Facebook Page and President’s Service Blog

THE SCOREBOARD (to the end of January 2014)

District Membership 1319

Net Member Growth is 28

Year To Date Additions 97

Drops 69

18 clubs have decreased membership

27 clubs have increased membership

23 clubs have static membership

Average members per club - 19

60% of clubs - less than 20 members

International President Barry Palmer

Follow Your Dream

Success Stories

Maiden Gully Marong Club

Congratulations to Members at Maiden Gully Marong who

recognized the need for membership development and

through persistence have achieved a significant outcome.

Lion John Smith is recognized for his strong leadership in

gaining the support of fellow Lions.

On Sunday 9th of February the Club conducted a

‘Community Connection Forum’ facilitated by the 50/50

Pathways team.

This 4 hour session had as its focus establishing

community needs with the outcome of gaining the support

of interested members of the community.

The words of Lion John Smith tell the story,

‘I have on hand five applications for membership

and expect another three. The forum was an

outstanding success’.

This can work for your club. Want to find out more then

contact Maiden Gully Marong Club, Robyn Falloon or DG

Stan Falloon.

Baldivis Lions Club (District W2)

Club Excellence Process – Lions Roaring

A Story of Rejuvenation & Survival

As Zone Chairperson of 201W2 zone 9 during 2012/13, I

have had the privilege of being involved with Lions Club of

Baldivis Inc., during a membership drive and completion

of the Club Excellence Process (CEP).

Baldivis is a club that was chartered in September 1984,

and as with all clubs, had been finding it difficult over

recent years to maintain their membership. Baldivis were

always proactive by having new members join, but there

was always a problem of keeping members. Baldivis had

Our Vision

Growth in Service through

Vibrant & Viable Lions Clubs

Our Mission:

To Promote & Support Lions

Clubs Membership Growth &

Retention Initiatives

Measures of Success:

All Clubs have an active plan for Membership Growth & Retention

Achievement of membership & growth goals

All Clubs have a satisfactory or better rating when assessed against the Seven Characteristics of a Successful Club.

District Global Membership Team (GMT)

The GMT is available to respond to requests from clubs in any aspect of membership and club success.

“I don’t know what

your destiny will be,

but one thing I know:

the only ones among

you who will be really

happy are those who

have sought and

found how to serve”

Albert Schweitzer

raised this issue with me during 2011 and again in 2012 during my zone visits. With the ‘back

door’ affect continuing, it was not allowing an equal balance of active/inactive membership and

female membership was always low.

Membership drives had been spoken of, but not with any great enthusiasm or professionalism.

During 2012, the club expressed their concerns, stating that they had actually discussed closure of

their club! This was now of great concern to our District and more importantly Baldivis, who did

not wish to see their club close.

During discussion with Baldivis and District representatives a plan was put in place. Baldivis felt

that a membership drive, in conjunction with CEP was the direction they wished to go. A

membership drive was undertaken in a very professional way, professional flyers printed, mail out

through Australia Post, with mail out to approx. 2,500 residents. Baldivis members understood

they must take ownership of their problems, but with a small membership, it was equally as

important to obtain new members. As part of CEP and supporting Baldivis requirements members

were asked to complete the, How Are Your Ratings. A Community Needs survey proved more

difficult, as of course Baldivis was short of members! Work books were ordered and date finally

set for the workshop for Baldivis.

Baldivis held their workshop over one evening, which I am sure if they had that time again they

would now recommend this to be over at least two sessions.

But what was the result of the membership drive? Marketing shows us that if we get a 5% return

on any number of mail outs, we should call that a success. Baldivis had 19 attend their

membership evening which they had organised. With a membership that was 7, Baldivis now have

a membership of 19. Every week Baldivis continue to now spread the word and work of Lions in

their community, with the aim of one more member. CEP is about setting goals and actions, and

Baldivis had set a goal of 20 members by the end of 2012/2013 Lion year. I recommend all clubs

look at the Club Excellence Process as a tool to maintain the health of your club and a way to re-

evaluate yourself, your club and/or gain new members.

Congratulations to Lions Club of Baldivis Inc. for leading the way, taking up the challenge and

showing that with hard work, we can turn our club membership around. Well done Baldivis!

- Margaret Landwehr, Zone 9 Chairperson, District 201W2

Want to know more then contact;

Graeme Lukey graemelukey@bigpond.com or

Graham Allen galions@bigpond.com or

Stan Falloon sfalloon@bigpond.net.au

Lions Density in Some Countries

These figures illustrate our experience that finding new Lions can be difficult. Not everyone wants

to be a Lion. Lions are special and hard to find so we must work hard to seek them out. Very

importantly we must retain them when we get them (refer to the newsletter no. 2 on retention).

Whenever a new opportunity presents itself work hard to introduce a new member to Lions.

A strategy to create interest in Lions is to promote public awareness of our projects and activities.

We need to make it easy for inquirers to make contact with us. Our March Awareness and

Membership Month is a way to do this as are the various avenues of public relations & use of social

media. Nothing beats visibility of Lions & the Lions name throughout the community.

Public Relations Tools and Information

Public relations involves all forms of communication – written, verbal and non-verbal. It includes

writing news releases and distributing promotional flyers.

Good public relations – informing the community that your club built the park, conducted the

vision screening or collected the eyeglasses – will help foster community support. Public relations

can even support your club's membership efforts. People want to belong to a successful and

reliable organization. By actively promoting your club and its worthwhile activities, you'll be

projecting a positive image in the community – and showing that your club is worth joining.

PR Chairperson Responsibilities

Identifying Newsworthy Club Activities

Contacting the Media

Using Key PR Tools

Other Publicity Ideas

Additional PR Resources

Sample News Releases

Lions News Network

Localizable Public Service Announcement

The Project Leader for our district is Lion Murray Baud who will provide each club with additional help. zone3@lions201v1-4.org.au Mobile; 0409309090

Get In Step For this short radio, newsletter or newspaper script follow the link; script for promotion

Lions 50/50 Pathway is a new and unique program to stimulate ideas

leading to action with the purpose of providing a pathway into Lions for

community minded men, women, families and young people.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY HIGH TEA

To celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March, Lions Australia 50/50

Pathway Team are encouraging clubs and groups to organise a High Tea.

The purpose of the High Tea is to invite members of the community to enjoy a wonderful array of gourmet delights.

The 50/50 Pathway Team has a vision for this event to be held annually and participation will grow each year!

So start planning for your fabulous 'High Tea'................... invite all your friends and make sure it is a FUN event

which everyone will want to attend again and again! Maybe a bit late this year but put it on your agenda for 2015.

The Registration Form is available here, DOWNLOAD "Lions Australia 50/50 Pathway "High Tea" Guidelines"

For more information contact: Robyn Falloon, Secretary 50/50 Pathway: robyn@bonbondesigns.com

or Brenda Castrignano V1-4 Champion: brendac241@hotmail.com

Barry Palmer Social Media Star

We congratulate the team from Bendigo who

have accepted the challenge to develop a District

Facebook site along with the policies &

procedures necessary for this.

Making It Happen – Project Development Guide This step by step guide helps you to identify service projects and develop effective plans for implementation. Follow the link; www.lionsclubs.org/EN/common/pdfs/tk10.pdf Nominations & Elections – Important Club Procedure An important process for all clubs in March & April, see the link for the step by step procedure, Nominations & Elections Guide Email Contact If you have received this newsletter in hard copy form then the various links provided cannot be sourced.

An electronic copy of the newsletter can be found on the District website. If you have an email contact then

forward to Gayle Marett the District Administrative Officer so that future newsletters can be made available

in the more useful electronic form. Gayle Marett: administration@lions201v1-4.org.au

Learn More Webinars

The Extension and Membership Division conducts monthly webinars on important membership topics each month. Webinars are web-based forums designed to be interactive. Lions are able to ask questions of the panelists and share success stories of their own. The goal is to provide an opportunity for Lions to learn and motivate each other. We encourage you to pass along this information to your club members and promote their participation.

Date Topic March 26, 2014 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (CDT) Register

· Chartering Special Interest Clubs Learn how to form new Lions clubs that have a specific focus or interest

April 29, 2014 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. (CDT) Register

· Conducting Informational Meetings for New and Existing Clubs Learn how to conduct an informational meeting for a new club or an existing club. Find out tips and tricks on how to get prospective members to join and tools and resources available.

May 22, 2014 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. (CDT) Register

· Membership Planning for Next Fiscal Year Start the next fiscal year off ahead by having a membership plan in place for your club, district, and/or multiple district.

Note the times are US times and need to be converted to local time

New Member Kits

What information do you give your new members to help them become valuable contributors to your Lions

club? We will include more information in the April newsletter but in the meantime check this link out;

New Member Kit Materials

The Mission Driven Volunteer – Be prepared for the volunteer of tomorrow

The large pool of perhaps the most volunteer minded generation of volunteers we have yet seen is coming, but they are asking for new things from our organisation. They want to contribute in ways that are meaningful to them and make a demonstrable difference, in small bites, and on – and only on – their schedules. They are mission-driven volunteers. Are you ready for them? This thought provoking 23 page article can be downloaded from; Mission Driven Volunteer

Wanted: We need Lions with an interest in membership development at Club or District level and who

want to make a difference. Training and assistance provided.

Enquiries to Graeme Lukey on 0409337877

We hope that you find something of practical value in this newsletter. Please advise us if you need further information.